Plastic Bottle Cap Scrubber

ABSTRACT

A scrubbing apparatus for scrubbing debris off a surface comprises a handle having a grip area on a first end, a support extension extending from the handle from a second end and a receiver for a bottle cap at a distal end of the support extension. The apparatus uses recycled bottle caps as a scraping or scrubbing surface. The apparatus gives the user a mechanical advantage over trying to grasp a bottle cap for the same use. The apparatus allows the user to get their hand a safer distance from a rough, dirty, wet, hot or cold surface while scraping or scrubbing the surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Statement Regarding FederallySponsored Research and Development

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This embodiment relates to cleaning devices and more particularly to ascrubbing apparatus that allows a user to keep their hand a saferdistance from a rough. dirty, wet, hot or cold surface while scraping orscrubbing the surface.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

One job that is difficult for people to do without hurting a hand isscraping and scrubbing surfaces that are dirty. Many products on themarket for scrubbing and cleaning surfaces, especially in sharp cornersand crevices, are small and expensive. It is difficult for anyone to usethese devices, and even more so for the elderly and those with arthritisor other joint conditions. This issue necessitates the need for a morecomfortable and cost-effective scraping and scrubbing device.

One existing scrubbing apparatus provides a scrubber for lap siding witha profile complementary to the profile of the boards in the lap sidingsuch that when the scrubber is moved side to side in a washing action,an exposed side face and under surface of the siding boards areeffectively scrubbed and dirt, dust, mildew, mold and algae areeffectively removed. However, such a scrubber cannot remove dirt from arough surface even if high pressure is applied.

Another existing scrubbing apparatus discloses an electrically-drivenportable dirt scrubber which is portable, and conveniently usable fordiverse portions of the region while effectively scrubbing off foreignmatter from the area without any damage to the device, thereby keepingthe region clean while providing a scrubbing effect. This dirt scrubberincludes a handle configured to be grasped by the user: an assemblyconnected at one end to the handle configured to be adjustable inlength; and a pivoting head connected to the other end of the assembly;a power supply mounted in the main body charged with electric powersupplied from an external power source; a motor configured to be drivenby electric power with a drive signal and a contact member attached tothe outer surface adapted to remove debris. However such a scrubberrequires constant electrical power for functioning.

Yet another existing scrubbing apparatus discloses a cleaning devicewith a handle that is connected to a cleaning head with a cleaning padon a spindle that is connected to the handle by an axle that permits thecleaning head to pivot on the axle. In addition, the spindle is enclosedin a housing that permits the rotational movement of the cleaning head.However the material that does the scrubbing or scraping is not arecycled material.

In light of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved scrubbingapparatus that would allow the user to safely, effectively and cheaplyscrape and scrub a surface using recycled bottle caps. The recycledbottle cap would be attached to a handle that allows the user to keeptheir hands a safe distance from a rough, dirty, wet, hot or coldsurface while scraping or scrubbing the surface. The handle wouldprovide much improved leverage, effectiveness, and comfort while doingthe scraping or scrubbing. The handle and bottle cap would be easy toclean thereby making the scrubbing apparatus more sanitary than a scrubpad or scrub brush given their propensity to accumulate debris. Thepresent embodiment accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present embodiment is a scrubbing apparatus for scrubbing debris ofta surface. The apparatus comprises a handle having a grip area on afirst end, a support extension extending from the handle from a secondend and a receiver for a bottle cap at a distal end of the supportextension. The apparatus uses recycled bottle caps as a scraping orscrubbing surface. The apparatus gives the user a mechanical advantageover trying to grasp a bottle cap for the same use. The apparatus allowsthe user to keep their hand a safer distance from a rough, dirty, wet,hot or cold surface while scraping or scrubbing the surface.

Various angles may be implemented during construction to make the handlemore comfortable or to provide clearance while working with theapparatus. A through hole is incorporated for display or storage of theapparatus. Additionally a female screw thread of appropriate size andshape can optionally be incorporated somewhere on the apparatus for thestorage of an extra bottle cap.

To use the apparatus a plastic bottle cap is pressed into the bottomhole. The apparatus is then grasped on the handle area and pressure isapplied so that the bottle cap is pressed firmly onto the surface thatneeds to be scraped or scrubbed. When finished, the apparatus can easilybe rinsed or cleaned. When the edges of the bottle cap become dulled thecap may be removed and replaced with another plastic bottle cap. Therebythe apparatus allows the user to get keep the hand a safer distance froma rough, dirty, wet, hot or cold surface while scraping or scrubbing thesurface.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a scrubbing apparatus in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the scrubbing apparatus in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the scrubbing apparatus in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention showing a bottle cap;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the scrubbing apparatus showing the bottle capinstalled and ready to use;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a scrubbing apparatus in accordance with analternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the scrubbing apparatus in accordance with thealternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the scrubbing apparatus in accordance with thealternate embodiment of the present invention showing a bottle cap; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of the scrubbing apparatus of FIG. 7 showing thebottle cap installed and ready to use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following describes example embodiments in which the presentinvention may be practiced. This invention, however, may be embodied inmany different ways, and the description provided herein should not beconstrued as limiting in any way. Among other things, the followinginvention may be embodied as methods or devices. The following detaileddescriptions should not be taken in a limiting sense.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one. In this document, the termr” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or,” such that “A or B” includes“A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated.Furthermore, all publications, patents, and patent documents referred toin this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety,as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event ofinconsistent usages between this document and those documents soincorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s)should be considered supplementary to that of this document; forirreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a scrubbing apparatus 10 in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 10comprises a handle 12 having a grip area 14 on a first end 16, a supportextension 18 extending from the handle 12 from a second end 20 and areceiver 22 for a bottle cap 24 (See FIG. 3) at a distal end 26 of thesupport extension 18. The apparatus 10 allows a user to keep the hand asafer distance from a rough, dirty, wet, hot and/or cold surface whilescrubbing the surface with the bottle cap 24 (See FIG. 3).

FIG. 2 is a top view of the scrubbing apparatus 10 in accordance withthe preferred embodiment of the present invention. Various angles may beimplemented during construction to make the handle 12 more comfortableor to provide clearance while working with the apparatus 10. A throughhole 28 (See FIG. 1) is incorporated for display or storage of theapparatus 10. Additionally a female screw thread (not shown) ofappropriate size and shape may optionally be incorporated somewhere onthe apparatus for the storage of an extra bottle cap.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the scrubbing apparatus in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention showing a bottle cap 24.To use the apparatus 10 a plastic bottle cap 24 is pressed into thereceiver 22 as shown in FIG. 4. The apparatus 10 is then grasped on thehandle 12 at the grip area 14 and pressure is applied so that the bottlecap 24 is pressed firmly onto the surface that needs to be scraped orscrubbed. When finished, the apparatus 10 can easily be rinsed orcleaned. When the edges of the bottle cap 24 become dulled, the bottlecap 24 may be removed and replaced with another plastic bottle cap.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate side and top views of a scrubbing apparatus 50 inaccordance with an alternate embodiment of the present inventionrespectively. The apparatus 50 comprises a handle 52 having a grip area54 on a first end 56, a support extension 58 extending from the handle52 from a second end 60 and a receiver 62 for a bottle cap 64 (See FIG.7) at a distal end 66 of the support extension 58. Various angles may beimplemented during construction to make the handle 52 more comfortableor to provide clearance while working with the apparatus 50. A throughhole 68 is incorporated for display or storage of the apparatus 50.Additionally a female screw thread (not shown) of appropriate size andshape can optionally be incorporated somewhere on the apparatus 50 forthe storage of an extra bottle cap 64.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the scrubbing apparatus 50 in accordance withthe alternate embodiment of the present invention. To use the apparatus50 a plastic bottle cap 64 is pressed into the receiver 62. Theapparatus 50 is then grasped on the handle 52 at the grip area 54 andpressure is applied so that the bottle cap 64 is pressed firmly onto thesurface that needs to be scraped or scrubbed. When finished, theapparatus 50 can easily be rinsed or cleaned. When the edges of thebottle cap 64 become dulled, the bottle cap 64 may be removed andreplaced with another plastic bottle cap.

The apparatus 10 may be made of one or more materials. For example, thehandle 12 may be covered with a non-slip material while the rest for theapparatus 10 uses a harder smoother material. In some embodiments,components may be made to be buoyant. The apparatus 10 may be made of abuoyant material and/or may have cavities formed therein to promotebuoyancy of the body within a liquid (e.g., water). In some embodiments,the apparatus 10 may be impregnated with one or more substances thatprovide a finish of a decorative color or pattern. In some embodiments,strengthening materials may be provided within components of theapparatus 10. The receiver 22 for bottle cap 24 may include a metal ringas a core and the remainder of the apparatus 10 may be formed of anothermaterial that may be weaker. In another embodiment the handle can bemade so that a plurality bottle caps may be attached, therefore creatinga larger scrapping area.

The handle 12 may be simple or more complex and ergonomic. In the caseof an ergonomic handle, arthritis sufferers and persons with minorinjuries or sensitivities can be offered significant relief during theirnormal cleaning activities. The handle 12 provides much improvedleverage, effectiveness, and comfort while doing the scraping orscrubbing. The handle and bottle cap is easy to clean thereby making theapparatus 10 more sanitary than a scrub pad or scrub brush given theirpropensity to accumulate debris. Over the life of the apparatus 10 therewould also he significant cost savings and reduced consumption ofnatural resources.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be apparent that various modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except asby the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A scrubbing apparatus comprising: a handle havinga grip area on a first end; a support extension extending from thehandle from a second end; and a receiver for a bottle cap at a distalend of the support extension; whereby the apparatus allows a user tokeep hand a safer distance from a rough, dirty, wet, hot and/or coldsurface while scrubbing the surface with the bottle cap.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle forms an angle with the supportextension to make the handle more comfortable to use and to provideclearance while working with the apparatus.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the handle further comprises a through hole for display orstorage of the apparatus.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plasticbottle cap is pressed into the bottle cap receiver for use.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein a pressure is applied to the apparatus sothat the bottle cap is pressed firmly on to the surface that needs to bescrubbed.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the bottle cap may beremoved and replaced after excessive use.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1may be easily rinsed/cleaned.
 8. A scrubbing apparatus comprising: ahandle having a grip area on a first end; a support extension extendingfrom the handle from a second end; a through hole extending through thehandle at a middle portion; a receiver for a bottle cap at a distal endof the support extension; and a plastic bottle cap pressed into thebottle cap receiver; whereby the apparatus allows a user to keep theirhand a safer distance from a rough, dirty, wet, hot and/or cold surfacewhile scrubbing the surface with the bottle cap.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the handle Corms an angle with the support extension tomake the handle more comfortable to use and to provide clearance whileworking with the apparatus.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein apressure is applied to the apparatus so that the bottle cap is pressedfirmly on to the surface that needs to be scrubbed.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the bottle cap may be removed and replaced afterexcessive use.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8 may be easilyrinsed/cleaned.
 13. A scrubbing apparatus for scrubbing debris off asurface, the apparatus comprising: a handle having a grip area on afirst end: a support extension extending from the handle from a secondend, wherein the handle forms an angle with the support extension tomake the handle more comfortable to use and to provide clearance whileworking with the apparatus; a through hole extending through the handleat a middle portion; and a receiver for a bottle cap at a distal end ofthe support extension; whereby a plastic bottle cap is pressed into thebottle cap receiver for scrubbing the surface while keeping a user'shands at a safer distance from a rough. dirty. wet, hot and/or coldsurface.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a pressure is applied tothe apparatus so that the bottle cap is pressed firmly on to the surfacethat needs to be scrubbed.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein thebottle cap may be removed and replaced after excessive use.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 13 may be easily rinsed/cleaned.